HMO licences

If you are the owner/manager of a house in multiple occupation (HMO) that is rented out to five or more people, who form two or more families, and who share facilities such as a bathroom, kitchen, sink or toilet, you must get an HMO licence.

Licences cannot be transferred to another property, or to a different person. If circumstances change, you will need a new licence.

As a landlord, it is your responsibility to apply for an HMO licence, and to wait for its approval, before letting out the property to five or more people, who form more than one family. Failure to get a licence could result in a fixed penalty notice (fine) of up to £30,000.

It costs £565 for an HMO licence for a property with up to five bedrooms, and an extra £55 per bedroom, up to a maximum of up to £4,500 for a five-year HMO licence.

We have adopted minimum standards for HMOs. Please read our HMO amenity standards guidance before filling in the application form.

Download an application form

Please email completed application forms to pollution@lichfielddc.gov.uk. Once you have emailed your completed form, call 01543 308000 to make payment, and quote the reference HC.

Alternatively send your completed paper form (and payment - please make cheques payable to Lichfield District Council with code 0532 written on the reverse) to: